Business and travel have been synonymous since the days of the traveling 40’s era salesmen. The progression of business has been significant one thing remains the same, travel. Visit any airport in the world and you will find it consumed with people in business suits, obsessively staring at their watches while feverishly running to their gate. ….But how can this be financially feasible in the largest economic downturn since the great depression? Simple, companies have been forced to operate frugally.
According to a survey released by Embassy Suites Hotels, 71% of travelers say they have changed their business travel habits because of the continuing economic woes. To save money, 29% of the travelers surveyed said they fly only coach, while 27% said they are cutting back on meals and other expenses. Meanwhile, 24% of business travelers said they are now booking hotel rooms that their companies consider a good value, and 17% said they try to share a room with a colleague. This is a considerable change from the days of penthouse suites and first class air travel.
How’s how to get the most for your business dollar:
1. Research, research, research. Do your homework to find the best deals on airfare. You can consult websites such as http://www.iflybusiness.com which is a good resource for international travel or http://www.globester.com/domestic-flights.jsp for domestic travel. Both sites websites provide highly discounted fares.
2. Avoiding having to room with your colleagues and learn way too much about their sleeping habits by checking out http://www.priceline.com or http://www.hotels.com and be sure to view their daily hotel deals for deeper discounts. If you are traveling internationally and seeking the least expensive way to stay you can visit http://www.hostels.com. Staying in a hostel can be the cheapest way to stay, but keep in mind it will not provide any luxury benefits of a major hotel chain, but most offer basic benefits for a low as $25.00 per night.
3. Food….this can be challenging on a limited budget. If you are not required to participate in business dinner than you can take advantage of these food options: street vendors, which offer great food options at a reasonable fee, farmers markets available almost everywhere in the world, offer a healthy way to eat cheaply. Food halls are generally not ready available, but if you can find one they offer a wide selection of foods in one location. And the least favorable option but probably the most feasible is local fast food restaurants, a quick cheap meal that offer a lot of the buck, but a little rough on the waistline.
Your bags are packed and you’re armed with your business suit and road warrior face paint. You are now ready to sprint to your gate as a frugal business traveler. Save on!!
